The 14th London African Music Festival presents EZZA (Niger) who are guitarist GOUMOUR ‘OMAR’ ADAM, bassist MENAD MOUSSAOUI and drummer STÉPHANE GRATTEAU.
In keeping with the quality that we have learnt to expect from Saharan desert blues music, Ezza – a groove-Tuareg three piece from Northern Africa via France.
Coming from a family of Tuareg blacksmiths in Niger, front man Goumour ‘Omar’ Adam learnt his trade from his parents. As a child, he immersed himself among Tuareg musical icons before moving to Toulouse where he formed Ezza with bassist Menad Moussaoui (Algeria) and drummer Stéphane Gratteau (France).
The word Ezza (which is the last letter of the Tifinagh alphabet) is the symbol of the free man and of resistance – ideals that are becoming increasingly more significant under Northern Africa’s troubled political climate.
With soul-stirring melodies and infectious rhythms, the group’s three-piece dynamic produces a more contemporary sound than many of their peers, ushering in the next generation of North African rock and roll while still maintaining the detail and beauty of the likes of Tinariwen and Ali Farke Touré.
The group have recently released their second album Alkher, following their UK live debut at this year’s WOMAD Festival. They create Tuareg grooves where African rhythms meet modern rock sounds resulting in rhythmic trances and relentless groove. Ezza creates trance groove that is impressive for a three-piece. African rock and roll band Ezza play Vortex Jazz Club!